The Board of Education for District 64 voted Aug. 14 to adopt revised transportation Policy 4-1-10, restoring limited transportation for preschool students whose individualized education program (IEP) specifies specialized transportation and establishing that students must have the same pickup and drop-off location each school day. The board also waived a first reading and moved the policy from the consent agenda to take final action that night.

The policy committee presented the change as a narrow exception intended to ensure preschool students who have short, part‑day special education placements can access district services. “We left out a group of preschool students that really need transportation to be able to access their services from District 64,” the presenting board member said during the discussion. The presenter added that the district will provide transportation for preschool students “as determined by their IEP team” and that the alternate location must be the same place every day.

Board members clarified scope and limits during the discussion. One board member noted that the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) defines door‑to‑door transportation from home to school as an entitlement when required by an IEP and cautioned the board that the district’s policy differs from that precise framing. The committee representative acknowledged that the district could not keep a DCFS‑licensure reference because doing so might affect ISBE reimbursement and said the policy relies on the IEP team’s determination and on language that references childcare centers and consistent daily locations.

After debate about families with two residences and other operational details, the board voted to remove the item from the consent agenda, waive the first reading and adopt Policy 4-1-10 as written. The motion to adopt passed with all voting members present voting yes.

The district’s administrators said they would notify affected families directly; at the meeting staff reported the change currently affects one family and that the principal and special education staff were aware and engaged. The board directed staff to implement the policy consistent with IEP team determinations and state reimbursement rules.

Details the board discussed that will affect implementation include: the policy applies districtwide (not only to preschool), families with two homes must select one consistent address for transportation purposes, and the district will rely on IEP teams to determine when specialized transportation is required. The board also noted the district must balance ISBE reimbursement rules when defining eligible childcare providers.

The new policy references Policy 4-1-10 and federal IDEA requirements as discussed at the meeting. The board did not adopt any additional guidance at the meeting about notification timing beyond individual outreach to affected families.

Board President and staff said the district will provide an updated communication to families about the change and will follow up if additional clarifications are needed as the policy is implemented.